Obituary for Andrew Collin Stephens
Throughout the ages, around the world, there is rarely a man born as naturally hilarious as Andrew Stephens, born July 3rd, 1984 in Rupert, Idaho. He was the youngest of five children. His smile was infectious. Terms like silly, clever, and witty simply do not suffice. As a teenager, during road trips to Boise with his dad, Andrew would play with the radio controls from the back of the car. His dad didn’t realize that there were controls in both the back and front of the car, so for a good half hour or so Andrew befuddled his father by changing the station, turning the radio up and down, switching channels. His dad never did figure out what the hell was going on with that ghostly car!
As an adult, Andrew once ate fried chicken slowly and decadently in front of a PETA protest. But he was so much more than just playfully mischievous. He was also dedicated, loyal, caring, brave and very athletic. Andrew struggled with binge eating in his younger years, and after being badly injured in a motorcycle accident, his weight topped out at nearly 500lbs. He knew things had to change, especially because he wanted to always be there for his daughter Sydney, the light of his soul and his reason for always striving to become a better man.
So Andrew started walking several hours each day. He began rigorous strength training, and maintained a strict diet. Andrew’s discipline and dedication resulted in him losing over 300lbs. Even at 200lbs, he was muscular enough to deadlift more than twice his bodyweight! His fitness journey was so impressive and dramatic that he was featured on TLC’s reality show Skin Tight, as well as The Doctors. After Andrew appeared on TV, he often heard from people who were so inspired by his story that their own journeys were also successful. Even when he was struggling, Andrew always believed in other people, lifting them up and challenging them to achieve their full potential.
After separating from Sydney’s mother, he met his soulmate and partner in crime, Sabrina. Andrew was always bringing Sabrina little treasures he found, and her favorite gift of all was a wedding ring adorned with skulls. For all who knew Andrew, he immediately brought to mind the epitome of loyalty and determination. He was a devoted and loving co-parent, with a penchant for fixing just about anything, who was enamored with his beautiful nurse wife and proud of the young woman his daughter Sydney is becoming.
Andrew loved spending time outside, cycling, boating and snowboarding with his daughter. For the rest of her life Sydney will remember how much fun they had making a video for a Magic Valley snowboard competition. He enjoyed bicycling with his family along the Boise River Greenbelt, and exploring all over Magic Valley. He loved wakeboarding and kayaking, too. Let it be universally known, in addition to being an amazing father and husband, Andrew had a unique way of making people happy.
Andrew was proudly debt-free, and also proud of the fact that he taught himself how to restore his dad’s old boat just by watching YouTube. Andrew taught himself how to rebuild engines as well. He was a man of many self-taught talents, such as cooking, playing guitar for a local rock band, and he was also a great chess player. He shared a love of motorcycles with his best friend, Lance, but they both had enough sense to stay off of them after their 20s.
Overall, Andrew was all about not caring what other people think. He always thought that people should hear what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear. He never let anyone take advantage of those he loved. And he disliked when people would make excuses for why they couldn’t do something. He told his wife Sabrina on a regular basis that if anything ever happened to him, he wanted her to be okay and to live her best life. Oh, and to never trust a fart.
Sabrina and Andrew were two halves of the same soul. They rarely fought, and when they did, whether Andrew was right or wrong, he would say, “are you done being a bitch yet?” just to get one last rise out of Sabrina before it was over. Then he would send Sabrina a video of a man shouting “Bitch, I love you!” Sabrina will be forever grateful for the way Andrew saved her life. When they met, Sabrina was in a very dark place, but Andrew lifted her up, taught her how to care about herself again and inspired her to love life. He showed her what it was like to truly be loved.
Andrew leaves behind four brothers and one sister, as well as his parents, daughter, two step-daughters and beloved wife. He passed away at 12:21PM on Sept. 18, 2022. He took such great care of his body that he was able to donate organs to five different recipients, saving their lives as his last generous gift to the world. May Andrew’s soul rest in peace. Our unconditional love for him will never fade.
Friends and community members are welcome to join the family in celebrating Andrew’s life with food, beer and live music.
Wednesday, October 12 from 11am to 4pm.
KOTO Brewing Company
156 Main Ave W
Twin Falls, ID 83301
As an adult, Andrew once ate fried chicken slowly and decadently in front of a PETA protest. But he was so much more than just playfully mischievous. He was also dedicated, loyal, caring, brave and very athletic. Andrew struggled with binge eating in his younger years, and after being badly injured in a motorcycle accident, his weight topped out at nearly 500lbs. He knew things had to change, especially because he wanted to always be there for his daughter Sydney, the light of his soul and his reason for always striving to become a better man.
So Andrew started walking several hours each day. He began rigorous strength training, and maintained a strict diet. Andrew’s discipline and dedication resulted in him losing over 300lbs. Even at 200lbs, he was muscular enough to deadlift more than twice his bodyweight! His fitness journey was so impressive and dramatic that he was featured on TLC’s reality show Skin Tight, as well as The Doctors. After Andrew appeared on TV, he often heard from people who were so inspired by his story that their own journeys were also successful. Even when he was struggling, Andrew always believed in other people, lifting them up and challenging them to achieve their full potential.
After separating from Sydney’s mother, he met his soulmate and partner in crime, Sabrina. Andrew was always bringing Sabrina little treasures he found, and her favorite gift of all was a wedding ring adorned with skulls. For all who knew Andrew, he immediately brought to mind the epitome of loyalty and determination. He was a devoted and loving co-parent, with a penchant for fixing just about anything, who was enamored with his beautiful nurse wife and proud of the young woman his daughter Sydney is becoming.
Andrew loved spending time outside, cycling, boating and snowboarding with his daughter. For the rest of her life Sydney will remember how much fun they had making a video for a Magic Valley snowboard competition. He enjoyed bicycling with his family along the Boise River Greenbelt, and exploring all over Magic Valley. He loved wakeboarding and kayaking, too. Let it be universally known, in addition to being an amazing father and husband, Andrew had a unique way of making people happy.
Andrew was proudly debt-free, and also proud of the fact that he taught himself how to restore his dad’s old boat just by watching YouTube. Andrew taught himself how to rebuild engines as well. He was a man of many self-taught talents, such as cooking, playing guitar for a local rock band, and he was also a great chess player. He shared a love of motorcycles with his best friend, Lance, but they both had enough sense to stay off of them after their 20s.
Overall, Andrew was all about not caring what other people think. He always thought that people should hear what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear. He never let anyone take advantage of those he loved. And he disliked when people would make excuses for why they couldn’t do something. He told his wife Sabrina on a regular basis that if anything ever happened to him, he wanted her to be okay and to live her best life. Oh, and to never trust a fart.
Sabrina and Andrew were two halves of the same soul. They rarely fought, and when they did, whether Andrew was right or wrong, he would say, “are you done being a bitch yet?” just to get one last rise out of Sabrina before it was over. Then he would send Sabrina a video of a man shouting “Bitch, I love you!” Sabrina will be forever grateful for the way Andrew saved her life. When they met, Sabrina was in a very dark place, but Andrew lifted her up, taught her how to care about herself again and inspired her to love life. He showed her what it was like to truly be loved.
Andrew leaves behind four brothers and one sister, as well as his parents, daughter, two step-daughters and beloved wife. He passed away at 12:21PM on Sept. 18, 2022. He took such great care of his body that he was able to donate organs to five different recipients, saving their lives as his last generous gift to the world. May Andrew’s soul rest in peace. Our unconditional love for him will never fade.
Friends and community members are welcome to join the family in celebrating Andrew’s life with food, beer and live music.
Wednesday, October 12 from 11am to 4pm.
KOTO Brewing Company
156 Main Ave W
Twin Falls, ID 83301